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The FAQs of PDAs: What You Need to Know When Choosing a Hand-held Personal Digital Assistant

Business people everywhere are conducting their tasks using PDA's. They are the most convenient units available to the business person today. Not only business people are using them however. Many people also use them for their day-to-day activities. They are the perfect way to carry around your schedule. They offer reminders and calendars to help you stay on task. They are trendy and hip to have, making them a great product. Before purchasing a hand-held personal digital assistant however there are a few things you should consider.

What Exactly Is It?

You may have heard everyone raving over PDA's for the past few years and still have no clue what exactly they are talking about. Do not worry however, you can learn quickly. A PDA, or a personal digital assistant, is a palm sized hand held device that is quite popular due to its mobility and small size. A PDA is somewhat like what you would get if you mixed a computer with a pocket planner. They are made to work with your computer, with many of them easily synchronize your information between the two. This can be done through cables or by wireless networks. Most personal digital assistants use a pen or a touch screen. Most do not have a keyboard, although many of them can be hooked to a keyboard if needed.

Personal digital assistants hold many types of information. Many hold thousands of contacts and memos. You can create calendars for your daily schedule. You can also set alarms to help you keep appointments. Many people also choose to use PDA's for internet use. You can wirelessly log right onto the internet and do any research you might need to do. You can store pictures and emails on your PDA as well. It is really a portable computer in a way.

Types

There are several different brands and many different models of personal digital assistants to choose from. The average consumer is likely to get a little overwhelmed when shopping. The two main categories most experts divide PDA's into are those that use 3Com's Palm OS software and those that use Microsoft's Windows CE software. The Palm brand personal digital assistants use 3Com's operating system, while Compaq, Hewlett Packard, and Casio all use Microsoft's. The average user will probably care less about these differences, but the differences are good to be aware of.

Many PDA's differ by size, color, and resolution of their screen. Resolution is very important, with the size of the screen being small. You will want the clearest resolution you can afford. The sales representative should be able to point these out to you. In terms of visibility you can also choose between color screens and black and white screens. With more color screens being offered, black and white screens will be much less expensive. Some units have backlights to help with visibility. There are also attachments that will magnify the screen for those who have trouble viewing the small screen.

Reviews

Before choosing a hand-held personal digital assistant, you may want to see how others weigh in on each model and brand. You can find out by doing some quick research. Do a search of reviews for each model you are considering. A list of review sites should pop up, offering you real reviews from consumers like yourself. You can also look for professional reviews, but they are more likely to be tainted by brand support and other components. Allowing yourself to see what the average user thinks about the item is a great way to feel confident you are getting what you want. Keep in mind however that one bad review does not cross out twenty great reviews.

Shop Around

When choosing a personal digital assistant, make sure you shop around. Many stores will offer extended warranty policies on top of the manufacturer's warranty. These warranties are great because the small size of the PDA can make it easy to damage. The units are durable and can withstand everyday wear and tear, but they are more likely to be dropped many times, or submerged in water than a personal desktop computer. Therefore, you should be aware of any warranties and what they cover. Go with the store with the best package deal.